Electrochemical device

ABSTRACT

An electrochemical device includes a power generating element, an outer package, a current collector, and a movement restricting member. The power generating element includes a main portion and a terminal portion. The main portion includes an electrode prepared by forming an active material layer on a metal foil surface of the electrode. The terminal portion is provided on a side of the main portion. The outer package houses the power generating element. The current collector is connected to the terminal portion of the power generating element. The movement restricting member includes a holding portion arranged between the side of the main portion of the power generating element and an inner surface of the outer package opposite the side of the main portion.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority from Japanese Patent Applications No.2011-220011 filed on Oct. 4, 2011 and No. 2012-208022 filed on Sep. 21,2012. The entire content of these priority applications is incorporatedherein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention disclosed in this specification relates to anelectrochemical device.

BACKGROUND

A known electrochemical device, such as a battery and an electric doublelayer capacitor, includes an outer package and a power generatingelement housed in the outer package. The power generating elementincludes electrodes with active material layers formed on metal foilsurfaces of the respective electrodes. In general, each electrode has aportion on which the active material layer is not formed and a currentcollector is connected to an electrode terminal provided for input andoutput of power.

In the known electrochemical device, a synthetic resin sheet is disposedbetween the power generating element and the outer package for vibrationand impact protection purposes. However, such a sheet may not providesufficient protection for the power generating element that may moveinside the outer package when strong vibrations or a high impact isapplied to the power generating element. As a result, the currentcollector may deform or stick into the power generating element. If thathappens, an internal short-circuit may occur. To improve a safety levelof the electrochemical device, vibration and impact resistance needs tobe increased. Especially, when the power generating element is used fora vehicular battery, the power generating element requires considerablyhigh resistance for vibrations that occur while the vehicle is runningand for an impact that may be applied in a collision of the vehicle.Therefore, the improvement of the vibration and impact resistance ismandatory.

SUMMARY

An electrochemical device includes a power generating element, an outerpackage, a current collector, and a movement restricting member. Thepower generating element includes a main portion and a terminal portion.The main portion includes an electrode prepared by forming an activematerial layer on a metal foil surface of the electrode. The terminalportion is provided on a side of the main portion. The outer packagehouses the power generating element. The current collector is connectedto the terminal portion of the power generating element. The movementrestricting member includes a holding portion arranged between the sideof the main portion of the power generating element and an inner surfaceof the outer package opposite the side of the main portion.

With the above configuration, the current collector is less likely todeform or stick into the power generating element even when theelectrochemical device is subjected to strong vibrations or a highimpact. Namely, high resistance to vibrations and an impact can beprovided.

According to technologies described herein, an electrochemical devicehaving high resistance to vibrations and an impact can be provided.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front cross-sectional view of a cell illustrating anarrangement inside an outer package according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of the cell illustrating thearrangement inside the outer package.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a spacer.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a power generating element andspacers that are separated from the power generating element.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating the outer package, the powergenerating element that is out of the outer package, and the spacersthat are attached to the power generating element.

FIG. 6 is a magnified partial cross-sectional view illustrating thepower generating element with the spacers attached thereto housed in theouter package.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a power generating element anda spacer separated from the power generating element according to asecond embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating a bottom spacer positionedoutside an outer package.

FIG. 9 is a side cross-sectional view of a cell.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating a power generating elementand a spacer separated from the power generating element according to athird embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION First Embodiment

A first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6. Alarge-size lithium ion battery, which is an electrochemical device, isused in this embodiment. The lithium ion battery is one type ofnon-aqueous electrolyte secondary batteries used in electric vehiclesand hybrid vehicles. The lithium ion battery is hereinafter referred toas a cell B1.

The cell B1 is a square battery including a power generating element 10housed in an outer package 20. The power generating element 10 has aflattened shape and the outer package 20 has a box-like shape. The outerpackage 20 is filled with an electrolyte. In the drawings, orientationsof components of the cell B1 are indicated by arrows U, F, and Rpointing to the upper side, the front side, and the right side of thecell B1.

The power generating element 10 includes a positive terminal portion10A, a negative terminal portion 10B, and a main portion 10C. Thepositive terminal portion 10A and the negative terminal portion 10B arelocated on the left side and the right side of the main portion 10C,respectively. In the main portion 10C, a core 11 is provided. A positiveelectrode, a negative electrode, and a separator are layered such thatthe separator is between the positive electrode and the negativeelectrode. The positive electrode, the negative electrode, and theseparator are wound around the core 11.

The positive electrode includes a strip-shaped aluminum foil with acathode active material layer formed on a surface of the aluminum foil.At a left edge of the positive electrode, or in the positive terminalportion 10A, an aluminum foil without a cathode active material layer,that is, a bare aluminum foil is provided. The bare aluminum foil isreferred to as a positive current collector foil 12A.

The positive current collector foil 12A is wound in an oval form with along axis along the vertical direction so as to form layers. The layersof the positive current collector foil 12A in a straight section of theoval shape on the front side are pinched together. The layers of thepositive current collector foil 12A in a straight section of the ovalshape on the rear side are pinched together. The pinched layers of thepositive current collector foil 12A in the straight sections areconfigured as attachment portions 13 to which positive current collector24A is attached (see FIG. 4). The positive current collector 24A will beexplained later.

Because the layers of the positive current collector foil 12A arepinched together, sloped surfaces are formed between each attachmentportion 13 and the core 11, and between each attachment portion 13 andthe corresponding outer surface of the main portion 10C, as illustratedin FIG. 6. Specifically, inner sloped surfaces 14A located inner thanthe attachment portions 13 and outer sloped surfaces 14B located outerthan the attachment portions 13 are formed. Each inner sloped surface14A declines from the attachment portion 13 to the core 11. Each outersloped surface 14B declines from the attachment portion 13 to the outersurface of the main portion 10C. The inner sloped surface 14A is moregentle than the outer sloped surface 14B.

The negative electrode includes a strip-shaped copper foil with an anodeactive material layer formed on a surface of the copper foil. At a rightedge of the negative electrode, or in the negative terminal portion 10B,a copper foil without an anode active material layer, that is, a barecopper foil is provided. The bare copper foil is referred to as anegative current collector foil 12B.

The negative current collector foil is wound in an oval form with a longaxis along the vertical direction so as to form layers. The layers ofthe negative current collector foil 12B in a straight section of theoval shape on the front side are pinched together. The layers of thenegative current collector foil 12B in a straight section of the ovalshape on the rear side are pinched together. The pinched layers of thenegative current collector foil 12B in the straight sections areconfigured as attachment portions 13 to which negative current collector24B is attached. The negative current collector 24B will be explainedlater.

Sloped surfaces are formed in the negative terminal portion 10B in thesame manner as in the positive terminal portion 10A.

The positive electrode and the negative electrode are layered and woundsuch that: the positive current collector foils 12A and the negativecurrent collector foils 12B are arranged on opposite sides; the positivecurrent collector foils 12A are located outer than the separator and thenegative electrode; and the negative current collector foils 12B arelocated outer than the separator and the positive electrode.

The power generating element 10 includes a positive terminal portion10A, a negative terminal portion 10B, and a main portion 10C. Thepositive terminal portion 10A and the negative terminal portion 10B arelocated on the left and the right of the main portion 10C, respectively.The positive current collector foils 12A project from the left side ofthe main portion 10C, that is, the positive current collector foils 12Aare located in the positive terminal portion 10A. The negative currentcollector foils 12B project from the right side of the main portion 10C,that is, the negative current collector foils 12B are located in thenegative terminal portion 10B.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the outer package 20 includes a container 21and a lid 22. The top of the container 21 is open. The lid 22 covers thetop of the container 21. The positive terminal 23A and the negativeterminal 23B penetrate through the lid 22 and project upward. Thepositive terminal 23A and the negative terminal 23B are provided forpower input and output.

The positive current collector 24A is connected to the positive terminal23A and the positive terminal portion 10A (see FIG. 4). The negativecurrent collector 24B is connected to the negative terminal 233 and thenegative terminal portion 10B (see FIG. 4). Each of the positive currentcollector 24A and the negative current collector 24B is a metal platehaving a sufficient thickness to provide a large ampacity. Specifically,the positive current collector 24A is an aluminum alloy plate and thenegative current collector 24B is a copper alloy plate.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, each of the positive current collector 24A andthe negative current collector 24B includes a main portion 25 and a pairof leg portions 26. The main portion 25 is connected to the positiveterminal 23A or the negative terminal 23B. The leg portions 26 areconnected to the positive terminal portion 10A and the negative terminalportion 10B of the power generating element 10, respectively. The mainportion 25 is arranged along an inner surface of the lid 22. The legportions 26 are arranged along the respective surfaces of the positiveterminal portion 10A and the negative terminal portion 10B,respectively.

Each leg portion 26 having an elongated shape extends from thecorresponding edge of the main portion 25 in a direction perpendicularto the bottom surface of the main portion 25 (see FIG. 4). The legportions 26 of each of the positive current collector 24A and thenegative current collector 24B face each other. The leg portions 26 arearranged in front of or behind the respective attachment portions 13such that the attachment portions 13 are located between the legportions 26. The leg portions 26 are held to the respective attachmentportions 13 with clips (not illustrated) and welded by ultrasonicwelding or any other method.

Spacers 30 (movement restricting members) are arranged close to thepositive terminal portion 10A and the negative terminal portion 10B,respectively. Specifically, each spacer 30 is arranged between the sideof the main portion 10C and the inner surface of the outer package 20opposite the side of the main portion 10C. Each spacer 30 restrictsmovements of the main portion 10C relative to the positive currentcollector 24A or the negative current collector 24B.

Each spacer 30 is prepared by forming a thin synthetic resin plate intoa winding shape as illustrated in FIG. 3. The spacer 30 has a constantthickness and thus a warp is less likely to occur during injectionmolding. The width of the spacer 30 measuring in the font-rear directionis substantially equal to the thickness of the main portion 10C. Thelength of the spacer 30 measuring in the vertical direction is largerthan the length of the leg portion 26 of the positive current collector24A or the negative current collector 24B. The spacers 30 are attachedto the positive terminal portion 10A and the negative terminal portion10B, respectively, so as to cover almost entire areas of the positiveterminal portion 10A and the negative terminal portion 10B (see FIG. 5).

Each spacer 30 includes a first holding portion 31 with a considerablewidth measuring in the right-left direction and second holding portions37. The first holding portion 31 is inserted between the leg portions26. The second holding portions 37 are arranged outer than the legportions 26.

The first holding portion 31 is a recessed portion having an M-shapedcross section along a recess in the positive terminal portion 10A or thenegative terminal portion 10B. The recess is defined by a pair of theattachment portions 13 and the inner sloped surfaces 14A. The depth ofthe first holding portion 31 is substantially equal to the depth of therecess.

The first holding portion 31 includes first sloped holding surfaces 33along (or facing) the inner sloped surfaces 14A. The inner slopedsurfaces 14A incline in opposite directions from the core 11 and thefirst sloped holding surfaces 33 are sloped along the respective innersloped surfaces 14A. An outer edge of each first sloped holding surface33 closer to the corresponding leg portion 26 and an inner edge thereofcloser to the core 11 are rounded, that is, not pointed toward the mainportion 10C (see FIG. 6).

The first holding portion 31 further includes an escape part 34 for thecore 11. The escape part 34 is located at about the center of the spacer30 with respect to the front-rear direction, that is, between the firstholding surfaces 33. The escape part 34 has a round V-shape horizontalcross section. Namely, the escape part 34 is recessed outward from thecore 11 side such that a peak thereof is away from the side of the powergenerating element 10.

Each second holding portion 37 includes a second holding surface 38 atan inner edge (at the rightmost edge in FIG. 6). The second holdingsurface 38 is sloped along (or facing) the outer sloped surface 14B. Thesecond holding surface 38 has round edges 38A and 38B (see FIG. 6).Specifically, the outer edge 38A is not pointed toward the main portion10C and continues to the outer surface of the second holding portion 37.The inner edge 38B is more gently curved than the outer edge 38A andcontinues to the inner surface of the second holding portion 37.

The second holding portion 37 has different thicknesses, which measurein the direction along the side of the main portion 10C, in differentparts. The thickness of a distal end part of the second holding portion37 closer to the power generating element 10 is larger than thethickness of the base end part away from the main portion 10C. The baseend part is closer to a base at which the second holding portion 37 isconnected to the other portion of the spacer 30. An inner surface of thebase end part of the second holding portion 37 facing the leg portion 26is located outer than an inner surface of the distal end part facing theleg portion 26.

Each of the first holding portion 31 and the second holding portion 37has a height measuring in the right-left direction larger than the widthof the leg portion 26. Specifically, each of the first holding portion31 and the second holding portion 37 and the leg portion 26 ofcorresponding one of the first holding portion 31 and the second holdingportion 37 are arranged in a direction perpendicular to a direction inwhich the side of the main portion 10C and the inner surface of theouter package 20 are opposed. Each of the first holding portion 31 andthe second holding portion 37 has a dimension measuring in the directionin which the side of the main portion 10C and the inner surface of theouter package 20 are opposed. Each leg portion 26 of each of the currentcollectors 24A and 24B also has a dimension measuring in the directionin which the side of the main portion 10C and the inner surface of theouter package 20 are opposed. The dimension of each of the first holdingportion 31 and the second holding portion 37 is larger than thedimension of the leg portion 26.

The first holding portion 31 and the second holding portion 37 projectcloser to the main portion 10C than the leg portion 26. The width ofeach of the first holding portion 31 and the second holding portion 37measuring in the front-rear direction is defined such that the firstholding surface 33 and the second holding surface 38 are located asfollows. The first holding surface 33 and the second holding surface 38are located predetermined distances away from the inner sloped surface14A and the outer sloped surface 14B, respectively. With thisconfiguration, space is provided between the first holding surface 33and the inner sloped surface 14A. Furthermore, space is provided betweenthe second holding surface 38 and the outer sloped surface 14B.Therefore, the spacer 30 is less likely to hit the main portion 10C andthus the positive current collector foils 12A or the negative currentcollector foils 12B are less likely to be damaged.

Each spacer 30 includes an insulating portion 32 for insulating thecurrent collector 24A or 24B from the outer package 20. The insulatingportion 32 is arranged between the leg portion 26 and the inner surfaceof the outer package 20 with respect to the right-left direction. Theinsulating portion 32 is in contact with the outer side of the legportion 26. The insulating portion 32 is shaped so as to cover the outerside of the leg portion 26. The insulating portion 32 continues to thefirst holding portion 31 and the second holding portion 37. Theinsulating portion 32, a part of the first holding portion 31, and thesecond holding portion 37 form U-like shape in cross section around theleg portion 26. The U-like shape in cross section opens toward the mainportion 10C. The insulating portion 32, the part of the first holdingportion 31, and the second holding portion 37 define a container space36 in which the leg portion 26 is contained. Apart of the second holdingportion 37 also functions as an insulator. The part of the secondholding portion 37 and the insulating portion 32 are referred to as aninsulating section of the spacer 30.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, the spacers 30 are attached to the respectivesides of the main portion 10C and then inserted in the outer package 20.When the spacers 30 are inserted in the outer package 20 together withthe power generating element 10, the spacers 30 are predetermineddistances away from the container 21 as illustrated in FIG. 6. Theinsulating sections are arranged opposite the respective corners of thecontainer 21.

According to the above configuration, the following effects can beachieved. When the power generating element 10 of the cell B1 movesrelative to the first holding portions 31 and the second holdingportions 37, the power generating element 10 is in contact with thefirst holding portions 31 and the second holding portions 37. As aresult, the relative movements of the main portion 10C to the currentcollectors 24A and 24B in the arrangement direction thereof arerestricted by the first holding portions 31 and the second holdingportions 37.

If the cell B1 is subjected to strong vibrations or a high impact, themain portion 10C having a relatively heavy weight may move inside theouter package 20. If the power main portion 10C moves, the power mainportion 10C may be in contact with the first holding portions 31 and thesecond holding portions 37. When the spacers 30 are pushed by the powermain portion 10C, the spacers 30 may be in contact with the container20. The first holding portions 31 and the second holding portion 37support the power main portion 10C to restrict the movements of thepower main portion 10C toward the leg portions 26.

Even if the cell B1 is subjected to strong vibrations or a high impact,the current collectors 24A and 24B are less likely to stick into thepower main portion 10C. Furthermore, the current collectors 24A and 24Bare less likely to deform and thus cracks are less likely to be formedin the currant collectors 24A and 24B. Namely, high levels of vibrationresistance and impact resistance are provided.

The first holding surface 33 and the second holding surface 38 aresloped along the respective sloped side surfaces of the power mainportion 10C. Therefore, the first holding portion 31 and the secondholding portion 37 are in surface contact with the respective sidesurfaces of the power main portion 10C. With this configuration, thespacers 30 are further less likely to stick into the power main portion10C.

In comparison to metal spacers, the spacers 30 made of synthetic resinare lighter in weight and more flexible. With the flexibility of thespacers 30, vibrations and impacts are absorbed and thus higher levelsof vibration resistance and impact resistance are provided.

The current collectors 24A and 24B are properly insulated from the outerpackage 20 by the insulating sections of the spacers 30 arranged betweenthe outer package 20 and the respective current collectors 24A and 24B.

Because the first holding portion 31 of each spacer 30 is arrangedbetween the leg portions 26 of the corresponding current collector 24Aor 24B, the leg portions 26 are less likely to slant inward or outwardeven if the cell B1 is subjected to strong vibrations or a high impact.

Furthermore, the core 11 of the power generating element 10 is lesslikely to hit the spacers 30 because each spacer 30 has the escape part34.

Because the thickness of the distal end part of each second holdingportion 37 is larger than that of the base end part thereof, the secondholding portions 37 are less likely to stick into the main portion 10C.

The first holding portions 31 and the second holding portions 37 areheld away from the side surfaces of the main portion 10C. Therefore, thespacers 30 are less likely to be in contact with the main portion 10Cand thus the main portion 10C is less likely to be damaged.

Because the edges of the first holding surfaces 38A and second holdingsurfaces 38B are rounded, the spacers 30 are further less likely tostick into the main portion 10C.

Second Embodiment

A second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 9.Spacers having different configurations from those in the firstembodiment will be described. Other configurations of a cell B2according to this embodiment are the same as the first embodiment. Thesame components as the first embodiment will be indicated by the samesymbols and will not be explained. In the drawings, orientations of thecomponents of the cell B2 are indicated by arrows U, F, and R pointingto the upper side, the front side, and the right side of the cell B2.

The cell B2 includes a pair of side spacers 50 (movement restrictingmembers) and a bottom spacer 60. The left side spacer and the right sidespacer of the side spacers 50 are indicated by 50A and 50B,respectively. The left side spacer 50A and the right side spacer 50B areattached to the positive terminal portion 10A and the negative terminalportion 10B of the power generating element 10, respectively. Each sidespacer 50A or 50B is made of synthetic resin and prepared by forming athin plate by bending or extrusion processing. The left side spacer 50Aand the right side spacer 50B have the same configuration. Theconfiguration will be described with reference to the right side spacer50B.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, the side spacer 50B includes a base portion51B and a pair of holding portions 52B. The base portion 51B has aplate-like overall shape extending in the vertical direction. The lengthof the base portion 51B measuring in the vertical direction issubstantially equal to the height of an inner wall of the container 21.

With this configuration, the side spacer 50B is less likely to move inthe vertical direction and thus less likely to rattle. The side spacer50B further includes a protrusion 53B projecting from the base portion51B to the left in FIG. 7. The protrusion 53B has a horizontal crosssectional shape similar to the horizontal cross sectional shape of acombination of the first holding portions 31 and the escape part 34 ofthe spacer 30 illustrated in FIG. 6.

An upper end part 54B of the protrusion 53B is tapered toward the rightin front view, that is, a height of the upper end part 54B decreasestoward the distal end. A lower end part 55B of the protrusion 53B isalso tapered toward the right in front view, that is, a height of thelower end part 55B decreases toward the distal end. With thisconfiguration, the side spacer 50B is less likely to damage the mainportion 10C in comparison to those having square end parts. The middlepart of the side spacer 50B between the upper end part 54B and the lowerend part 55B includes ridges with constant height and a valley with aconstant depth. The protrusion 53B is arranged in an area correspondingto the middle parts of the negative terminal portions 10B with respectto the vertical direction.

The holding portions 52B project from the base portion 51B to the leftin FIG. 7. The horizontal cross sectional shape of each holding portion52B is similar to the horizontal cross sectional shape of the secondholding portion 37 of each spacer 30 illustrated in FIG. 6. The upperend part of the holding portion 52B extends to the upper end of the baseportion 51B and the lower end part thereof extends to a predetermineddistance above the lower end of the base portion 51B.

As illustrated in FIG. 8, the bottom spacer 60 is arranged below themain portion 10C inside the container 21. Specifically, the bottomspacer 60 is arranged on the inner bottom surface of the outer package20. The bottom spacer 60 is provided for protecting the main portion 10Cfrom a collision with the bottom surface of the container 21. The bottomspacer 60 is made of synthetic resin and in an elongated plate-likeshape that extends in the right-left direction. The bottom spacer 60 hasa groove 61 curved along the bottom surface of the main portion 10C. Asillustrated in FIG. 9, the groove 61 is formed such that the verticalcross section of the bottom spacer 60 has an arc-like edge. The groove61 extends for an entire length of the bottom spacer 60.

The bottom spacer 60 has a larger thickness in front and rear edge parts62 than in the center part. With this configuration, the bottom spacer60 is less likely to bend. As illustrated in FIG. 8, the bottom spacer60 is arranged on an insulating sheet 63 on the bottom surface of thecontainer 21. The insulating sheet 63 arranged inside the container 21covers the front and the rear inner surfaces of the container 21.

Third Embodiment

A third embodiment will be explained with reference to FIG. 10. Spacershaving different configurations from those in the second embodiment willbe described. Other configurations of a cell B3 according to thisembodiment are the same as the second embodiment. The same components asthe second embodiment will be indicated by the same symbols and will notbe explained. In the drawings, orientations of the components of thecell B3 are indicated by arrows U, F, and R pointing to the upper side,the front side, and the right side of the cell B3.

The cell B3 includes a pair of side spacers 70 (movement restrictingmembers). The left side spacer and the right side spacer of the sidespacers 70 are indicated by 70A and 70B, respectively. The left sidespacer 70A and the right side spacer 70B are attached to the positiveterminal portion 10A and the negative terminal portion 10B of the powergenerating element 10, respectively. Each side spacer 70A or 70B is madeof synthetic resin and prepared by forming a thin plate by bending orextrusion processing. The left side spacer 70A and the right side spacer70B have the same configuration. The configuration will be describedwith reference to the right side spacer 70B.

As illustrated in FIG. 10, the side spacer 70B includes a base portion71B, a pair of holding portions 72B, and a bottom portion 80B (areceiving portion). The base portion 71B has a plate-like overall shapethat extends in the vertical direction. The length of the base portion71B measuring in the vertical direction is substantially equal to theheight of the inner wall of the container 21. With this configuration,the side spacer 70B is less likely to move in the vertical direction andthus less likely to rattle.

The side spacer 70B further includes a protrusion 73B projecting fromthe base portion 71B to the left in FIG. 10. The protrusion 73B has ahorizontal cross sectional shape similar to the horizontal crosssectional shape of a combination of the first holding portions 31 andthe escape part 34 of the spacer 30 illustrated in FIG. 6. Theprotrusion 73B is formed in the middle part of the base portion 71B withrespect to the vertical direction. The length of the protrusion 73Bmeasuring in the vertical direction is smaller than that of theprotrusion 53B of the side spacer 50B in the second embodiment.

An upper end part 74B of the protrusion 73B is tapered toward the rightin front view, that is, a height of the upper end part 54B decreasestoward the distal end. A lower end part 75B of the protrusion 73B isalso tapered toward the right in front view, that is, a height of thelower end part 75B decreases toward the distal end. With thisconfiguration, the side spacer 70B is less likely to damage the mainportion 10C in comparison to those having square end parts.

The holding portions 72B project from the front and the rear edge of thebase portion 71B, respectively, toward the left in FIG. 10. Each holdingportion 72B has a horizontal cross section similar to that of the secondholding portion 37 of the spacer 30 illustrated in FIG. 6. The holdingportion 72B extends from the upper end of the base portion 71B to thelower end of the base portion 71B.

The bottom portion 80B projects from the lower edge of the base portion71B toward the right in FIG. 10. The bottom portion 80 has a groove 81Bin the upper surface. The groove 81B is curved along the bottom surfaceof the main portion 10C. Specifically, the groove 81B is formed suchthat the vertical cross section of the bottom portion 80B has anarc-like edge. The bottom surface of the right corner of the mainportion 10C with an insulating sheet 90 wrapped there around in advanceis placed on the bottom portion 80B. With this configuration, a separatebottom spacer such as the bottom spacer 60 in the second embodiment isnot required for protecting the main portion 10C from a collision withthe bottom surface of the container 21.

Other Embodiments

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described abovewith reference to the description and drawings; for example, thefollowing various embodiments will also be included in the technicalscope of the invention.

(1) The electrochemical device may be a lithium ion capacitor thatcauses electrochemical phenomenon instead of the non-aqueous electrolytesecondary battery.

(2) The power generating element 10 may have a drum-like shape or anyother shape rather than the flattened shape with the positive electrodeand the negative electrode layered on the respective side of theseparator and wound. The positive electrode and the negative electrodemay not be wound but only layered.

(3) The power generating element 10 may includes two or more cells. Inthis case, spacers may be attached to each cell or a single spacer maybe attached to sides of multiple cells.

(4) The spacers 30, 50 or 70 may be arranged without space between thespacers 30, 50 or 70 and the container 21.

(5) The spacers 30, 50 or 70 may have projections that in line contactwith the main portion 10C instead of the surfaces sloped along thesloped side surfaces of the main portion 10C. The holding surfaces maybe provided in areas with which the main portion 10C may be strongly incontact for restricting the movements of the main portion 10C. The firstholding surfaces 33 and the second holding surfaces 38 may not beparallel to the side surfaces of the main portion 10C. The holdingsurfaces may be in surface contact with the side surfaces of the mainportion 10C as long as the holding surfaces are opposite the sidesurfaces if vibrations occur.

(6) The first holding surfaces and the second holding surfaces may besoftly in contact with the main portion 10C as long as the first holdingsurfaces and the second holding surfaces do not damage the positivecurrent collector foil or the negative current collector foil.

(7) The first holding portion of each spacer may be formed in ablock-like shape, instead of the winding shape, so as to be fitted inthe recess in the side surface of the main portion 10C.

(8) Each spacer may includes locks that elastically lock the legportions for restricting the movements of the main portion 10C. If thespacers are pushed by the main portion 10C, the spacers are locked tothe main portion 10C. As a result, the first holding portions and thesecond holding portions support the main portion 10C so as to restrictthe movements of the main portion 10C.

(9) The width of the first holding portions 31 and the second holdingportions 37 may be smaller than the width of the leg portions as long asthe first holding portions 31 and the second holding portions 37restricts large movements of the main portion 10C to reduce shortcircuit.

(10) The first holding portions and the second holding portions may beseparately provided. Alternatively, each spacer may be divided at thepoint at which the escape part is provided. Namely, each spacer mayinclude a single first holding portion and a single second holdingportion. Each spacer may include any one of the first holding portionand the second holding portion.

(11) The first holding portions 31 and the second holding portion 37 maynot project more to the main portion 10C than the current collectors 24Aand 24B. With this configuration, the current collectors 24A and 24B arestill less likely to stick into the main portion 10C in comparison tothe known configuration without such holding portions.

The invention claimed is:
 1. An electrochemical device, comprising: apower generating element including a main portion and a terminalportion, the terminal portion being provided on a side of the mainportion, the terminal portion including layers of metal foils; an outerpackage including a container and a lid, the container including a sidewall and a bottom wall and housing the power generating element, the lidbeing formed with a terminal; a current collector including a pair ofleg portions to which the layers of metal foils are attached; and amovement restricting member being arranged between the terminal portionof the power generating element and an inner surface of the side wallopposite the terminal portion, the movement restricting member includingholding portions that are arranged outer than respective leg portions,wherein, in a cross-sectional view cut along a line perpendicular to theside wall, inner surfaces of tips of the holding portions are taperedoutward, wherein the holding portions comprise a first member and asecond member that extends from the first member with an angle of morethan 90°, and wherein the first member and the second member have a Wshape as to form an escape part for a core around which the electrode iswound.
 2. The electrochemical device according to claim 1, wherein eachof the holding portions includes a distal end part and a base part, thedistal end part having a thickness larger than a thickness of the basepart.
 3. An electrochemical device, comprising: a power generatingelement including a main portion and a terminal portion, the mainportion including an electrode prepared by forming an active materiallayer on a metal foil surface, the terminal portion being provided on aside of the main portion, the terminal portion including layers of metalfoils; an outer package including a container and a lid, the containerincluding a side wall and a bottom wall and housing the power generatingelement, the lid being formed with a terminal; a current collectorincluding a pair of leg portions to which the layers of metal foils areattached; and a movement restricting member including an insulatingportion and being arranged between the terminal portion of the powergenerating element and an inner surface of the side wall opposite theterminal portion, the movement restricting member including a holdingportion, the holding portion including a first holding portion arrangedbetween the leg portions, wherein, in a cross-sectional view cut along aline perpendicular to the side wall, the side wall, the movementrestricting member, and the leg portions are arranged in this order, andthe first holding portion projects closer to the main portion than theleg portions, wherein each leg portion of the pair of the leg portionsis attached to the movement restricting member and extends toward thepower generating element and away from the movement restricting member,wherein the first holding portion comprises a first member and a secondmember that extends from the first member with an angle of more than90%, wherein, in the cross-sectional view cut along the limeperpendicular to the side wall, inner surfaces of tips, of the holdingportions are tapered outward, and wherein the first member and thesecond member have a W shape as to form an escape part for a core aroundwhich the electrode is wound.
 4. The electrochemical device according toclaim 3, wherein the holding portion and the current collector arearranged in a direction perpendicular to a direction in which the sideof the main portion and the inner surface of the side wall are opposed,wherein the holding portion and the current collector have dimensionsmeasuring in a direction in which the side of the main portion and theinner surface of the side wall are opposed, and wherein the dimension ofthe holding portion is larger than the dimension of the currentcollector.
 5. The electrochemical device according to claim 3, whereinthe holding portion is arranged away from the current collector.
 6. Theelectrochemical device according to claim 3, wherein the holding portionincludes a holding surface that faces the side of the main portion. 7.The electromechanical device according to claim 3, wherein the powergenerating element includes the core around which the electrode iswound, and wherein the holding portion includes the escape part for thecore, the escape part being located in an area corresponding to thecore.
 8. The electromechanical device according to claim 3, wherein theterminal portion includes a plurality of terminal portions, wherein thecurrent collector further includes a main portion being connected to theterminal, the leg portions being connected to the respective terminalportions, and wherein the holding portion farther includes secondholding portions, the second holding portions being arranged outwardlyof respective leg portions.
 9. The electrochemical device according toclaim 3, wherein the holding portion is arranged away from the side ofthe main portion of the power generating element.
 10. Theelectrochemical device according to claim 3, wherein the insulatingportion is arranged between the current collector and the inner surfaceof the side wall, the insulating portion being in contact with thecurrent collector.
 11. The electrochemical device according to claim 3,wherein the holding portion includes a holding surface facing the sideof the main portion of the power generating element, the holding surfacehaving a round edge.
 12. The electrochemical device according to claim3, wherein the movement restricting member is in contact with an innerbottom surface of the outer package.
 13. The electrochemical deviceaccording to claim 3, wherein the movement restricting member includes areceiving portion at a lower end thereof, a bottom surface of the mainportion of the power generating element being placed on the receivingportion.
 14. The electrochemical device according to claim 8, whereinthe holding portion is arranged away from the side of the main portionof the power generating element.
 15. The electrochemical deviceaccording to claim 8, wherein the movement restricting member comprisesa resin, and wherein the insulating portion is arranged between thecurrent collector and the inner surface of the side wall, the insulatingportion being in contact with the current collector.
 16. Theelectrochemical device according to claim 8, wherein the holding portionincludes a holding surface facing the side of the main portion of thepower generating element, the holding surface having a round edge. 17.The electrochemical device according to claim 8, wherein the movementrestricting member is in contact with an inner bottom surface of theouter package.
 18. The electrochemical device according to claim 8,wherein the movement restricting member includes a receiving portion ata lower end thereof, a bottom surface of the main portion of the powergenerating element being placed on the receiving portion.
 19. Theelectrochemical device according to claim 3, wherein a dimension of themovement restricting member measuring in a direction perpendicular tothe lid is smaller than that of the power generating element.
 20. Theelectrochemical device according to claim 3, wherein the movementrestricting member is insulative, wherein, in the first holding portion,the first member is integrally formed with the second member, andwherein the second member extends from the first member with the angleof more than 90° such that an inclination of the second membercorresponds to an inclination of an outer surface of the main portion ofthe power generating element.
 21. The electrochemical device accordingto claim 3, wherein the power generating element includes the corearound which the electrode is wound.